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Wellington, February 23, 2022
Prominent Community Leaders have expressed their strong confidence in Police Commissioner Andrew Coster and the Police as they navigate through the complexities of the occupation and protest at Parliament and surrounding areas in Wellington.
Commissioner Coster has been deliberately thoughtful as he daily balances the fundamental right to peaceful protest and the elements of the protest which are unlawful and harmful.
It is also very much front of mind that on the one hand there are many Kiwis with genuine concerns represented within the ranks of the protesters, including children whilst at the same time the ongoing presence of the occupation is impacting on the feelings of safety and ability to go on with daily affairs of the local community in Wellington.
We acknowledge the efforts of the Police in engaging and de-escalating.
We are also acutely aware that time is fast running out for the protest to voluntarily become lawful and not push the police into an enforcement phase.
We support the careful restraint exercised by the police under the leadership of Commissioner Coster and trust the judgment and wisdom of the Commissioner and his team to know when that time has come and at what consequence.
“Stand strong Commissioner, you have shown us your resilience and honour – Kia Kaha!”
We also encourage all other stakeholders to ensure that dialogue and a peaceful solution is found before that time arrives.
Signed by:
Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu ONZM: Patron of Police Wing 347; Sir Mark Wiremu Solomon; Howie Tamati MBE; Arihia Stirling; Khylee Quince: Associate Professor, Dean AUT Law School; Sir Kim Workman: Patron of Wing 334; Rahui Papa; Gregory Fortuin: African National Council Convenor and Patron of Police Wing 302’; Pancha Narayanan: President, Multicultural New Zealand; Paul Patel: President, New Zealand Indian Central Association; Anwar Ghani MNZM: Spokesperson, Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (National and International Public Relations), Patron of Police Wing 294; Richard Leung: Immediate Past-President, New Zealand Chinese Association; Ranjna Patel ONZM: Chair, Gandhi Nivas and Patron of Police Wing 330; Venkat Raman MNZM: Editor, Indian Newslink and Patron of Police Wing 328; Rosa Chow: Chairperson, Asian Council on Reducing Crime; Dr Arif Saeid: President, Refugee Council of New Zealand
